Fated to the Triplet Alphas-Chapter 106: Irked

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Chapter 106

~Jade’s POV~

Drake’s lips were on mine before my mind went completely blank for a second.

Everything around me seemed to disappear. All of it faded into nothing as the only thing I could register was him.

How firm his hold was, the heat of his lips and the way my body betrayed me by not reacting the way it should have.

My heart pounded wildly against my chest, each beat louder than the last, as though trying to remind me of something I was dangerously close to forgetting, and that was enough to snap me out of it.

I jerked back sharply, my breath uneven, my chest rising and falling as I stared at him in disbelief.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I demanded, my voice coming out lower than I expected, but no less heated.

Before he could respond, my hand moved on its own. I raised it, ready to land a slap across his face but just before it connected, Drake caught my wrist effortlessly.

My eyes widened slightly as his grip tightened just enough to stop me, not enough to hurt, but enough to remind me that I couldn’t overpower him even if I tried.

"Let go of me," I snapped, trying to pull my hand free, but his hold didn’t budge.

Instead, he drew in closer again, closing the distance.

"You’re avoiding me." His eyes searched mine with an intensity that made it hard to look away.

"I’m not avoiding you," I shot back immediately. "I just don’t see any reason to entertain your nonsense."

His lips curved faintly, but there was no humour in his eyes this time.

"Is that what you think this is?" he asked, his voice dropping slightly. "Nonsense?"

I frowned, feeling the irritation rise again. "Whatever you think this is, Drake, it ends now. You don’t get to just walk up to me and—"

"And kiss you?" he cut in smoothly. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

My jaw tightened. "Yes," I snapped. "Exactly that."

For a moment, he said nothing. He just looked at me as though I was still the best thing he had ever seen.

Then his grip on my wrist shifted, not loosening, but adjusting as his thumb brushed lightly against my skin in a way that sent an unwanted shiver down my spine.

"You can lie to yourself all you want," he said quietly, his voice now edged with something deeper, something more dangerous. "But you can’t lie to me."

My brows drew together. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Drake’s gaze darkened slightly. "It means that no matter how much you try to run or pretend, you won’t be able to hide from it."

A strange feeling settled in my chest. I forced a scoff, even though it didn’t come out as strong as I intended. "Hide from what?"

"From me." Before I could respond, he leaned in slightly, his voice lowering just enough that it felt like the words were meant for me alone. "You felt it. Don’t pretend you didn’t."

"I don’t know what you’re talking about," I said quickly, but even to my own ears, it sounded weak.

His expression shifted, something sharper slipping through. "Really? So you can stand there and tell me you felt nothing just now?"

I opened my mouth, but no words came out, because I couldn’t lie and that only seemed to confirm whatever he was thinking.

A faint smirk touched his lips, though his eyes remained serious.

"Interesting," he said slowly. "You can kiss one of the Alpha Triplets without hesitation..." My heart skipped. "...but suddenly, kissing your mate is where you draw the line?"

My entire body went still.

Did he just think the Alpha Triplets aren’t my mates and just some random men I hook up with?

"What did you just say?"

Drake was about to answer when a sharp intake of breath broke our focus. Both of us turned at the same time.

And that was when I saw them.

Ziva stood a few steps away, her eyes wide, her expression caught somewhere between shock and curiosity as she stared directly at us.

And just behind her, slightly to the side was Isadora. They were silently watching us and taking everything in.

"Mate?" Ziva asked in disbelief. "Another one?"

My gaze darted from hers immediately back to Drake, the look of pure shock in his eyes when he heard her, made my chest tighten.

I could see the realisation finally dawning on him.

I tried to step back from him for fear of what he might do, but I did not get the chance as the next second his grip on me tightened.

"He... one of the Alpha Triplets is your mate?"

I swallowed, trying not to answer, though I was sure my silence already did. Much to my dismay, Isadora decided to finalise everything.

"I don’t know what or who you saw, but she has mates. And three of them, so I suggest you let her go if you want to avoid putting her in a situation."

Times like this, I loved Isadora’s bravery, but she was only fuelling his anger and jealousy. Unfortunately, the universe just loves pulling out surprises because the next second, Drake held me tighter.

"She’s my mate too. And if her mates were treating her rightly, maybe then the Moon Goddess wouldn’t have mated us."

I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but I did not plan on being in a captive situation like some damsel in distress.

I placed my hands on his chest and pushed with all my might. As soon as I managed to take advantage of his distraction and create distance between us, I glared daggers at Drake.

"What is your deal? Do you see my mates hovering around me as you do?"

Something flickered in his eyes. I lifted my hand quickly to stop any stupid ideas he was having.

"Look, I know we are mates, but please, this is much for me as well. And I haven’t even told my mates about having another or even accepted the thought of having a fourth mate."

"Jade, if you let me..."

I shook my head, cutting him off. "I’m sorry, but as much as it pains my wolf, I think I need time."

Drake looked like he wasn’t ready to accept my words, and I completely understood. I wanted him. I know my body and wolf wanted to be close to him, but should either of my other mates see him now... it wouldn’t bode well.

I needed to ease them into this situation. Drake held my gaze for a moment longer, as though trying to read something deeper than what I was willing to show him.

Surprisingly, he did not put up a fight and nodded. "As you wish, but I’m not giving up on us, Jade. You will be mine."

I swallowed the unswallowable lump in my throat as he stepped back, turned, and walked away.

I stood there, staring after him longer than I should have, my thoughts swirling, my chest still rising and falling unevenly.

It wasn’t until I felt a hand on my arm that I snapped out of it. "Jade?"